Crimino-Vision Events

On August 24, 2024, the Undergraduate Department of Criminology hosted a "Forensic Exhibition and Interactive Session" specifically designed for 10th-grade students from Manipal School. The program, which commenced at 9:15 AM, welcomed a group of 62 students accompanied by three teachers.

The event began with a warm welcome from Ms. Sarik Ankitha, Head of the Department of Criminology. In her address, Ms. Ankitha provided an overview of prevalent crimes, including both traditional and cyber-related offenses such as spoofing, spam, and fraud. She underscored the increasing relevance of criminology in understanding these criminal activities and introduced students to the criminology programs available in Mangalore. Additionally, she highlighted the critical role of awareness in crime prevention and community safety.

Following Ms. Ankitha’s introduction, Mr. Anees Rahman, Assistant Professor of Criminology, presented an introduction to criminology. He elaborated on the concept of crime, tracing its historical development and evolution. Mr. Rahman also differentiated between crime and tort, providing students with a foundational understanding of the subject and insights into the complexities of crime prevention and the justice system.

Next, Ms. Akshaya N. Bhandary, Assistant Professor of M.Sc. Counseling, introduced the students to the field of psychology. She outlined the fundamental principles of psychology and emphasized its significance in understanding human behavior. Ms. Bhandary also discussed how psychology integrates with various fields, enhancing students' understanding of its application in criminology and beyond.

After these informative sessions, the students were guided to the criminology lab, where they engaged in a hands-on Forensic Exhibition. This segment offered an immersive experience in forensic science.

Second-year criminology students demonstrated and explained a range of forensic techniques and methodologies.

The exhibition covered a diverse array of forensic disciplines, providing students with insights into various specialized areas. These included:

Ballistics: The study of firearms and ammunition, including the analysis of bullet trajectories and gunshot residue.

Questioned Documents: Techniques for analyzing and authenticating documents to detect forgery or alterations.

Footprints and Fingerprints: Methods for identifying individuals through the analysis of footwear impressions and fingerprint patterns. Hair Analysis: Examination of hair samples to gather information about a person's identity or the circumstances surrounding a crime.

Cyber Crime: Investigation of digital crimes involving computers and online activities.
Security: Measures and practices to safeguard information and prevent criminal activities.
Thanatology: The study of death and its causes, particularly in forensic contexts.
Forensic Medicine: Application of medical knowledge to determine causes of injury or death in legal investigations.
Tool Marks: Analysis of marks left by tools at crime scenes to link tools with criminal activity.
Toxicology: Detection and analysis of toxins and poisons in biological samples.
Anthropology: Examination of human skeletal remains to determine identity and cause of death.
Entomology: Study of insects and their role in determining the time of death or other aspects of a crime scene.

This comprehensive exposure allowed students to explore the practical applications of forensic science and understand how these various techniques contribute to criminal investigations and justice.

The program concluded with an interactive session led by Ms. Ayesha Abdul Salam, a final-year criminology student. This session provided a platform for students to discuss recent crime cases in India, raise questions, and share their own observations and experiences. The discussion focused on emerging cybercrimes, strategies for identifying them, and measures to avoid becoming a victim.

Overall, the event offered a valuable educational experience, providing students with a deeper understanding of criminology and forensic science. The combination of interactive discussions and practical demonstrations sparked curiosity and inspired students to explore potential careers in these dynamic and vital fields.